FLOYD BANKS

When a Tennessee artist began to construct his very own castle in which to live, he did not envisage it would be requisitioned for a higher purpose

In the plush green and hilly countryside around the small, eastern Tennessee town of Greenback (population 1600), a handmade, metal sign nailed to a fence reads “Castle” and points visitors onto a narrow, gravel road densely-lined with trees, brush and a few small houses. Several hand-painted wooden signs are dotted along the roadside.

the castle grounds are littered with donations from visitors

Several hand-painted wooden signs are dotted along the roadside. One begins: “LOOK HOW MENY PEOPLE – ARE GOING TO DIE TODAY. THIS BUILDING WOULDHAVE MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD TO TH... ” . Further along, where the road opens out in front of Greenback Castle, a final sign bears the message: “PRESOUS PEOPLE IF YOU dON’T KNOW WHAT IS going ON HERE “PLEASE FINdOUT REAL QUICK” .

Floyd Banks in 2019; all photos: Fred Scruton

Floyd “Junior” Banks lives nearby in a small, weathered frame house. When in 1993, aged 47, he started building the castle by hand from recycled materials, he had thoughts of being a “big shot” living in an imposing residence. But after experiencing what he considers to be miraculous visions – that he says “can’t happen, but did happen” – he came to understand that God would use his castle to reveal prophesy, and offer “scientific proof” of His existence. “I wanted to be King of the Castle, get all the ladies,” says Banks. “But that didn’t work out. I’m not the King, I’m the groundskeeper.”